New Taipei City Promotes Tamsui's Chestnut Pumpkin Season with National Giant Pumpkin Contest

(CNA, New Taipei, June 8, by reporter Wang Hung-kuo) To coincide with the chestnut pumpkin season, the New Taipei City Government held a press conference today to promote the Tamsui Pumpkin and National Giant Pumpkin Contest. During the event, New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih invited the public to visit Tamsui, enjoy the Danjiang Bridge, and taste the pumpkin agricultural products and pumpkin feasts of the North Coast.

The New Taipei City Agriculture Bureau stated that the city's pumpkin cultivation area reaches 165 hectares with a production of 2,158 metric tons, both ranking first in Northern Taiwan. Tamsui is the largest production area among them, with a cultivation area of 72 hectares and a production of 1,159 metric tons, making it a representative agricultural product of Tamsui.

As May and June are the chestnut pumpkin season, the city government held a press conference today to promote pumpkins, showcasing various pumpkin agricultural products. They hope to attract the public to experience the charm of pumpkins through creative activities and diverse marketing channels.

Mayor Hou Yu-ih announced that the National Giant Pumpkin Contest will be held on June 12 at the Tamsui Golden Waterfront. Simultaneously, they are partnering with local businesses to launch special pumpkin delicacies and themed mini-tours, welcoming the public to Tamsui to watch the pumpkin contest, enjoy the Danjiang Bridge, and savor delicious pumpkin feasts.

Lu Chun-hung, chairman of the Tamsui District Farmers' Association, said that the association has been actively involved in research and development since 2014, launching 13 pumpkin series products to date. This year, new processed pumpkin products have been introduced, and they are collaborating with 19 local farms, restaurants, and lodging businesses to jointly offer limited-time pumpkin dishes, DIY experiences, and tours, welcoming the public to taste the local flavors of Tamsui.

The Agriculture Bureau added that the city will hold a sales fair on June 13 and 14 at the Tamsui Golden Waterfront. The 'heaviest in the nation' giant pumpkin will be displayed, along with a farmers' market, pumpkin DIY experiences, and food education lectures by young farmers. By completing designated tasks, the public can receive a NT$100 coupon for partner stores of the New Taipei Coin, usable at designated partner merchants before July 31. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150608